time in months, retail gasoline prices have fallen below $3 a gallon in places, including parts of michigan, missouri, and texas. unfortunately, it's not fallen to below $3 a gallon here in the d.c. area. the relief is likely due to a sharp decline in crude oil prices. the national average for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.49 per gallon, down from a high of $3.98 in early may. the national average again is the lowest it's been in some time. the d.c. average is right around $3.62 a gallon, down from $3.73, and our area, virginia has the cheapest gas prices now. a gallon costs $3.35. that's down from 9 cents higher than it was a week ago. maryland is down 9 cents from $3.53 to $3.43, and in west virginia right now, they're paying $3.57 for a gallon of regular. there is more good news because some analysts are predicting that in november we may be paying $3.25 for a gallon of regular. i'm tracee wilkins live this morning in capitol heights. back to you all in the studio. >> we'd like to see that. tracee, thank you. >>> mortgage rates are dropping fast as well. cnbc's bertha coombs joins us l